Prof weighs in on the Real Housewives of D.C.

Prof Gemma Puglisi voiced her opinion of the Real Housewives of D.C. in an article on Roll Call, a D.C.-centric online publication. She doesn't believe that the show represents the true hardworking people of D.C. and is therefore, irrelevant. Read more

Prof Profiled in The Eagle

Prof. Pallavi Kumar was profiled in American University's student run newspaper The Eagle. Kumar was also featured in an article on the online journal The Georgetown Dish. Check it out or Read more from The Eagle

Alumna on "The Apprentice"

Kelly Smith Beaty who received her master's in Public Communication at SOC, will appear in the latest season of the popular reality show "The Apprentice". Read more

Prof Uses "Creative Publishing" With New Book

Prof. Steve Piacente released Bella, a Washington, D.C.-based novel that explores the power of temptation, the futility of revenge, and the consequences of yielding to either. Bella tracks the story of Isabel Moss’ fierce quest to uncover the truth behind her husband’s death on an Afghan battlefield and her relationship with reporter Dan Patragno. As Dan gets further into the story, he becomes personally involved with his source, violating one of the cardinal tenets of journalism and risking his career and family. Piacente serves as Deputy Communications Director at one of the nation’s largest federal agencies in addition to being an adjunct at SOC. Read more

AU Co-Hosted 2010 PRSSA National Conference

The AU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America was awarded the chance to co-host the 2010 PRSSA National Conference from Oct. 15-19 with Howard University and the University of Maryland. The National Conference is the PRSSA’s largest annual event and attracts over 1000 students each year from universities around the country for five days of networking, professional development workshops, competitions and more.

SOC Undergrad Wins Study Abroad Scholarship

925 students applied; only 138 were chosen, and SOC undergrad Amanda Osborn was one of them.  The Boren Undergraduate Scholarship is granting Amanda to study abroad in Beijing, China in AU's Abroad program.  The scholarship awards up $20,000 to undergraduates who are studying abroad in countries critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad.  Learn more

Student Named 2010 Harry S. Truman Scholar

Kelsey Stefanik-Sidener, a junior political science major with a minor in communication, has been named a 2010 Harry S. Truman Scholar. The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 toward a graduate education leading to a career in public service. Kelsey is one of 60 Truman Scholars selected from a nationwide pool of 576 candidates. Kelsey intends to pursue graduate training in law and public health in preparation for a career in health law, communications, and advocacy. Read more

Exploring Baby Boomer's Spirituality

According to public communications professor Leonard Steinhorn, members of the baby boomer generation approach religion as a guide to a spiritual meaning and connection in their own personal way. “They have always tried to figure out what works for them,” Steinhorn told the Miami Herald. “They've been looking for a place to hang their spiritual or religious hat since the 1960s.”

Logo for Ogilvy PR.

SOC Alum to Lead Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide North American Consumer Marketing Practice

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide is an integrated global communications firms operating in more than 70 markets.  On March 9, 2010, the firm announced that SOC Alum Bill Reihl has been appointed to Executive Vice President/Head of the agency's North American Consumer Marketing practice.  Reihl has been with Ogilvy PR for more than five years, working domestically and internationally. 
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Technology Creates Focus on a New Generation

Kathryn Montgomery, a communication professor, talked about the emergence of an even younger generation reliant on modern technology with USA Today. "[My students] tell me their younger siblings have different relationships with these technologies," she said. "[They're growing up with expectations of always being present in a social way — always being available to peers wherever you are."

Students Need Science Literacy, Says Prof

When it comes to explaining the climate change debate to children Lauren Feldman, communications professor, suggests that educators start with breaking down science and policy terms.“One thing that could be effective that is in large part missing from school curricula is a science-literacy component—teaching kids how to interpret science and scientific policy information in media and how to make sense of it,” she told Philadelphia Weekly.

Profs Speak Out in Irish Times Article

On March 27 the Irish Times published an online article concerning death row inmate Troy Davis. The Irish Times published an online article concerning the controversial case of death row inmate Troy Davis quoting both professors Gemma Puglisi and Richard Stack. Read more

Alum's Work in SOC Helps Land Job

PC alum Melanie Roussell told Politico that her graduate work on crisis communication at SOC helped her land a job at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Read more

Public Communication Program Students Pursue PhDs

Paola Pascual-Ferra and Tyler Solloway who are headed in the fall to PhD programs in Communication at the University of Miami and Ohio State University, respectively. Paola is a 2008 graduate of SOC's Public Communication MA program and currently an assistant professor. Tyler is currently a student in the Public Communciation Program.